Most people assume that a flood won’t happen to their house and when it does happen, they’re often left clueless because they were not prepared.
In the aftermath of a flood, many people are unpleasantly surprised to know that home insurance does not cover the damaged caused by the rising waters of a storm. They then believe that their insurance company tricked them and are ripping them off when, in actuality, the exclusion for floods is written in plain sight, right in their contract. The best way to be prepared for flood coverage is by having flood insurance, and the best way to know if you need it is to ask the following questions to your insurance agent.
Questions regarding flood insurance and you.
Do I need flood insurance? Well, it depends. If you have a federally-backed mortgage and live in a high-risk flood zone, flood insurance is actually mandatory. Otherwise, it’s up to you. But know that nearly every part of the country has experienced one form of flooding in the past 200 years, even deserts experience floods!
From what does flood insurance protect my home? Flood insurance protects your home from inundation (when water normally covers dry land) and from mudslides (when floodwater mixes with mud). It does not, however, cover landslides (which have actual pieces of moving earth).
From what does flood insurance not protect my home? It doesn’t cover certain parts of your home. Any furnished area that’s below ground level, walkways, trees, decks, and pools. It also doesn’t cover the entire basement, like the furnace or hot water heater. Artwork, antiques, and jewelry is also limited.
Floods can happen anywhere, and being protected with a quality flood insurance policy is the only way you can protect yourself. It is important to know a flood policy has a 30 day waiting period from the date of issue to cover you. To learn more about the policies you should have, contact Lou Aggetta Insurance Services in Pleasant Hill.